DAYTON, Ohio — The college basketball community was mourning the sudden loss of Dayton big man Steve McElvene, Thursday night.
University of Dayton confirmed that the redshirt freshman center died Thursday morning in his hometown of New Haven, Indiana.
Flyers coach Archie Miller issued a statement:
“We are devastated at this news. Any death is a tragedy, but for someone so young who worked so hard to have his dreams within reach, it’s hard to put into words how painful this is,” Miller said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to Steve’s family. My family, our team and our staff will have to pull together, not only in support of Steve’s family, but in support of each other at this terrible time.”
No cause of death was released, but according to WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he collapsed at his family home.
Glenn Marini, the sports director at WANE wrote “Enlarged heart is believe to be the cause.”
McElvene, a 6-foot-11 redshirt freshman, averaged 6.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 32 games last season. His 56 blocked shots set a Dayton single-season record.
“The entire Atlantic 10 family is heartbroken over the loss of Dayton’s Steve McElvene,” Atlantic 10 commissioner Bernadette McGlade said in a statement. “He was an exceptional young man with a bright future, both on the basketball court and in life. A life cut short is tragic for all. The prayers, thoughts and support from the A-10 community go out to the University of Dayton, Flyer Men’s Basketball and most especially to Steve’s family.”
UMass coach Derek Kellogg retweeted the UMass Basketball program account’s tweet:
“Please keep the family of Steve McElvene & the entire Dayton community in your prayers.”
Atlantic 10 player of the year DeAndre Bembry tweeted:
“Rest in peace Steve McElvene. Kid was a stud bright future man smh.”
Material from the Associated Press was used in this story.